Contents
ONLY A MOTHER WILL SAY "GO WASH YOUR FACE" Points to Remember 18 18
CHAPTER SIX WRITE YOUR OWN EULOGY
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? LIVE TODAY THE WAY YOU WISH TO BE REMEMBERED TOMORROW FOLLOW YOUR MAP POINTS TO REMEMBER
19 19
19 22 22 22
CHAPTER SEVEN FOCUS ON NOW
SOMEDAY FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME EXERCISE POINTS TO REMEMBER
23 23
23 24 25 25
CHAPTER EIGHT AIM FOR BALANCE
TO MUCH OF A GOOD THING WHERE IS YOUR TIME SPENT? HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU SPENDING FOR: HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND WITH: POINTS TO REMEMBER
26 26
26 27 27 28 28
CHAPTER NINE DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS
NOTHING NEW DON'T LET INGRATITUDE RUIN YOUR HAPPINESS. GIVE WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE GIVEN TO POINTS TO REMEMBER
29 29
30 30 31 31
CHAPTER TEN COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
POINTS TO REMEMBER
32 32
32
CHAPTER ELEVEN STOP WORRYING
WHY STOP WORRYING? I LEARNED AND SO CAN YOU!
33 33
33 34
.

POINTS TO REMEMBER. METHOD #2: ACCEPT THE WORST. METHOD # 4: HONESTY IS STILL THE BEST POLICY. 34 35 35 35 35 36
CHAPTER TWELVE TAKE TIME TO REFLECT
KEEP WORKING MY MEDITATION POINTS TO REMEMBER
37 37
37 38 39
GO AHEAD NOW
What are Habits? Want to The How To Do It
40
40 40 41 41
APPENDIX A
IMPORTANT POINTS
1
2
CHAPTER TWO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR REACTIONS
Important Points
3
3
CHAPTER THREE COMPETING ONLY WITH YOURSELF
IMPORTANT POINT
4 4
4
CHAPTER FOUR
IMPORTANT POINTS
5
5
CHAPTER FIVE WELCOME CRITICISM
Points to Remember
6 6
6
CHAPTER SIX WRITE YOUR OWN EULOGY
POINTS TO REMEMBER
7 7
9
CHAPTER SEVEN FOCUS ON NOW
10
.Contents
METHOD #1: FOCUS ON PREVENTION. METHOD # 5: PLAY THE ODDS. METHOD # 3: KEEP BUSY.

Dennis Waitley.
If you are like most people. and has always been. we are going in the wrong direction. I have read books by Dale Carnegie. It is more a book of reflections that is intended to assist you in forming the happiness habit. These reflections have come from years of reading books and listening to cassettes. Happiness is. Since the age of sixteen I have made it a hobby to read self-help books. you probably view happiness as an end result. an inside job. and Jose Silva. Happiness is a result of buying a car or becoming financially successful. You need not wait to be happy. Happiness is a result of moving away from home. or getting a job. You can be happy right now! Happiness is not some mysterious thing for which we need to search. Anthony Robbins. My collection of self-help books and biographies extends 1
. "I am convinced that happiness is within the reach of everyone.Go Ahead Make Your Day
INTRODUCTION GO AHEAD MAKE YOUR DAY
Start With Happiness. The problem is that if we reach out. to name only a few. John Powell writes. If this is the view of happiness that you share I have great news for you. "Happiness is an Inside Job"."
Not a How-To Book
What you have in front of you is by no means an attempt to tell you how to be happy. In his book. Napoleon Hill. Barry Kaufman.

My challenge to you is. Being happy is far too important to leave it up to someone or something else.Go Ahead Make Your Day
into the hundreds. my guide.
Go Ahead Make Your Day!
Abraham Lincoln once said. Stop giving the responsibility for your happiness to everyone around you. This is why you must constantly remind yourself to be happy. your guide. "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be". In effect. the following pages are my notes. You must make happiness a habit. Happiness is truly as simple as making up your mind to be happy. or the way others treat you. These exercises are designed to help you reflect on the contents of the chapter. You must take the responsibility of going ahead and making it your day. when reading these books. The following pages are an attempt to organize all of the thoughts that help me be happy. your book on being happy. my book on being happy. At the end of several chapters I have included some exercises. the way your parents treat you. The end result is a few pages that you can pull out which will become your notes.
GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DAY!
2
. I would highlight the important thoughts that I wanted to retain. You must free yourself from being a victim of the way your boss treats you. As my collection grew I decided that it would be easier to write down key thoughts in a separate book for quick reference. At first. Appendix A is a section to which you may transpose the exercises from the individual chapters along with any additional key points you may wish to remember.

It is no wonder we battle with the idea of becoming our own best friend. drugs. ugly. The last thing we need to do is to fight ourselves along the way. After all. In these increasingly complicated and difficult times we truly need to become the best friend we can to ourselves. etc.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER ONE BECOMING YOUR BEST FRIEND
By now we all have heard that we are our own worst critic. Being our own worst enemy is the most likely factor in preventing many of us from being happy. body and spirit. We must make peace with ourselves and nurture our mind. etc. The sad part is that many of us don't realize just how bad a friend we are to ourselves. junk food. This inner peace allows us to become loving and happy towards ourselves. We abuse our minds with negative personal perceptions. We must take the responsibility of looking after ourselves. Daily we abuse our bodies with alcohol. fat.
CHALLENGES
Life presents us daily many challenges and obstacles to overcome.
3
. What is even sadder is that most of us are our own worst enemy as well. We tell ourselves that we are stupid. Once we become our own best friend we develop an inner peace. this responsibility is much too important to leave to others.

To form such a habit we must be constantly reminding ourselves of what we need in a best friend. and I included. like most good habits. Someone that will always be there to remind you of your goals. touches another with a more loving and peaceful hand. Once we develop this level of self content we automatically radiate love. become a more peaceful place. Being your best friend must become a habit to you.
Becoming Your Best Friend. our evolution will cause countless ripples". Someone that will make sure you lose weight properly with exercise and diet and not crazy fad diets. have spent most of our lives doing the opposite such a habit. Someone that will be there to encourage you to lose weight because of concern for your health. kindness and happiness to everyone we come in contact with. If each of us acknowledges him or herself as one entity in an interlocking network of interactions. like the stone dropped in a pond. Since most of us. Barry Kaufman the author of "Happiness is a Choice" sums it up best when he writes. "If just one person changes.Go Ahead Make Your Day
SELF SERVING ?
If you think the idea of becoming our own best friend. for example.
4
. then. indeed. At first you may even need to remind yourself several times a day. the world has. can be difficult to form. you are overweight the characteristics you will be looking for in a best friend might be: Someone who will love you for who you are. becomes happier. loving ourselves more and becoming happy is selfish and self serving think again. The second part of developing this habit is to have a very clear image of what you personally need in a best friend. Later when it is developed a couple times a month will suffice. Someone who will not try to deny the fact that you may be overweight. If.

Someone that will put you back on track if they see you slipping and encourage you to do better next time.
EXERCISE
Take the time now to write down what you need in a friend.Go Ahead Make Your Day
Someone that won't give up on you when your progress is not quite what they expected or when you cheat a bit. Review it every day for the first few weeks until being the friend you need becomes a habit. If your needs change in the following months then write these needs down and repeat the process.
5
. loving and content with yourself and you will automatically radiate love and happiness. After being your own best friend is a habit then review it at least once a month. WHAT I NEED IN A BEST FRIEND IS:
IMPORTANT POINTS
Be happy.

6
. John's parents were the best. kind and always ready to help. Jack's parent were not very understanding. His father had a very strong character and his mother had a heart of gold. His father was pig headed and his mother was weak. John went to a school where the teachers were good.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER TWO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR REACTIONS
JACK AND JOHN
Jack and John grew up in two very different environments: Jack went to a school where all the teachers were idiots.

ACTION AND REACTION
Life is a series of reactions to the circumstances which we encounter. She gave him more and more responsibility along with more privileges.Go Ahead Make Your Day
Jack had a part time job at the age of 16 working for a boss who was a real pain. For every excuse you can come up with I'm sure we could easily find hundreds of people that could have used the same excuse but did not. probably would be upset that the government would be taking a third of the money in taxes. When looking back on the situation you may realize that your reaction was very negative. the way other people treated you or a combination of the above.
7
. drugs. She showed no respect for him and never praised any of his work. The truth is. Your job now is to convince your mind that this is not the way that you react. You must take responsibility for your mind. take control of your mind. If you turn the other cheek it is a reaction. If John and Jack both won a million dollars John would probably be happy and grateful. If you want to react in a positive way to an action you must first tell your mind to react positive in this situation. the way you were raised. you run. and even had the same part time job working for the same person. went to the same school. therefore. and only you. it is time that you take full responsibility for your reactions. the pressure at work. If someone says boo. The funny part is that Jack and John were brothers. For every action there are several different reactions possible. on the other hand. The important point is that you. They had the same parents. If someone says fire. You may be thinking that reactions are controlled by your nervous system and are totally uncontrollable. Life gave these brothers many similar opportunities. The difference was how John and Jack reacted to everything. You may try to blame your reactions on alcohol. If you happen to be in a traffic jam you may normally act in a negative way. John had a part time job at the age of 16 that was great. Jack. She even ended up firing him. you jump. The truth is your mind controls all your reactions. These people take responsibility for their reactions and act in a positive way. If someone walks up to you tomorrow and slaps your face it is an action. can be held responsible for your reactions. If you get angry and resort to violence it is also a reaction. His boss always praised his work. You may honk the horn and your blood pressure may rise. To control your reactions you must. You may curse and get yourself all worked up.

Much like the martial artist practices over and over. You then make the best of the situation. Take the time to reflect on what was said to you.
YOUR HAPPINESS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Once you have assumed responsibility for your reactions your happiness is no longer dependent on anyone or anything. You can let his or her mood drag you down or you can take control of your reaction. You visualize yourself actually getting calmer as the hectic highway pace gets slower. You take a deep breath and realize that the situation is beyond your control but your reaction is totally in your control. I guarantee you that only a 8
. In fact. co-worker or customer is screaming and criticizing your work. Don't give up. If he or she has chosen to be miserable that is their problem and not yours. You visualize yourself turning on the radio to a relaxing station or you see yourself having the time to listen to your favorite cassette. co-worker's or customer's responsibility. You realize that getting worked up about the situation can only make it worse. You would be much better off if you had the ability to stay calm. How good your day goes is no longer your boss's. Try to learn something from what was said remembering that it was said by someone who was not in control. Take the time to gather your thoughts and come up with a good excuse for why you are late. If the traffic jam is longer then anticipated and you are most definitely going to be late you quickly realize that the situation is beyond your control. At first it may sound next to impossible to react this way to yelling and criticism.Go Ahead Make Your Day
VISUALIZATION
Convincing your mind to react in a positive way is simply a matter of visualizing the way you wish to react in any given situation. You see it as a break in the action. it would be difficult to return to your work and to perform to your maximum. It is still possible to react in a positive way even when everyone else is not. If you wish to act more positive in a traffic jam visualize yourself in a traffic jam. If your boss. You visualize that you had anticipated such a delay so you left your home or office early. At first it may be difficult but the more you practice the easier it will get. If your boss. You can train your mind by repeated visualizations of any situation. coworker or customer is in a bad mood you decide how to react. This will demonstrate a far better mental attitude. it is far better if you can stay in control and stay positive. moving and blocking until moving and blocking a punch becomes a reaction. Then return to your work with that episode behind you and focusing on the task at hand.

on the other hand. visualize yourself reacting in that manner until it is an automatic reaction. weeks or days on this earth being unhappy you must decide the time to be happy is now. The advantages. it is easier to find someone or something else to blame for your faults. Secondly. Also it can make you realize that you never know when your time will come. Once you have selected the right positive reaction. You then must visualize yourself in the situation and reacting the way you would like. You can react in a positive way. You can get angry in return and engage in a battle that may even turn violent. You have the option to react in a positive or negative way. Once you have decided to take responsibility for your reactions your happiness and success is no longer dependent on anything or anyone.
9
. for being responsible for your reactions far out weigh the effort. If someone gets upset with you. Taking responsibility for your reactions is not always easy. You can stop dwelling on the past and start focusing on your potential. Take full responsibility for your reactions. and realize just how precious and short life really is. You realize it doesn't matter what happened to mess up your day or to mess up your life. you decide how you would like to react. you must remind yourself of all the disadvantages to reacting negatively and all the advantages to reacting positively. You can go on a drinking binge feeling sorry for yourself and end up miserable. To every action there are several positive reactions. keep your cool and stay in control enabling you to take control of the situation. If a close friend dies you decide how you want to react. Since you don't want to spend your last years. Once you decide that you would like to react in this way and you know you are responsible for your reactions.
Important Points
Life is a series of actions acting on you. You must first decide that this is the way you wish to react. You can also decide not to feel sorry for yourself.Go Ahead Make Your Day
short while after you have decided that you must take control of your reactions it will be possible. it then becomes possible. In fact.

From a very young age we are forced into competing against each other. In school I could never get the grades to place me at the top of my class.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING COMPETITIVE?
Some of you might be asking. I came to a point were I stopped trying. It was easier to accept my standing due to the fact that I was not trying than to accept that some students were better than I was. the office's top producer or the top salesperson. We strive to be "Employee of the Month". This gave me a small advantage when it came to sports. I remember one Saturday going to a hockey 10
. etc. Math. It is no wonder so many of us are hung up on competing against others.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER THREE
COMPETING ONLY WITH YOURSELF
COMPETING AGAINST OTHERS
When I was growing up and going through school the teacher would hand out awards to the students with the best grades in English. When playing hockey the coach gave an award to the best defensive player. the most improved. "What's wrong with being competitive?". When we get out of school and into the work force it doesn't stop. The problem is not being competitive but against whom you are competing. History. I remember being devastated when I placed second in the annual track and field day. Before going to high school I was considered big for my age. Nothing! My wife would tell you that the most competitive person she knows is Claude Fontaine. etc. In kindergarten. the top scorer. I played every sport I could.

I believed that I was just not a competitive person. Even those who are a close second are not safe from feeling unhappy.m. I said back then and truly believed that I was not playing any sports because I hated competing. I found it easier to believe that I was not the best athlete because I didn't try. to 10:00 a. Athletes often experience this. from which I left early so I could try-out for the school volleyball team between 12:00 and 2:00 p. At the bottom of the triangle there is a group that just can't put it together. When I got to high school I stopped playing all sports.m. Closely following the top position there is a small group of people. My friend was cut in the third practice which I didn't attend.
BEING TOO COMPETITIVE
It was not until recently that I realized the opposite was true. During this try-out I intercepted a pass going over my head and dove for a lay-up in front of the coach. This group is driven by the hope that someday they will reach the top position. or join a weaker group so they have an opportunity to be the best of that group. strength and ability. This blow may be even harder to take than the disappointment of never being on top in the first place. I made the team. that I didn't want to play if I couldn't be the best. for years they compete at the highest level of their sport.m. During my high school years I attended only one sports team try-out. After being crushed over and over again they simply give up.Go Ahead Make Your Day
practice from 8:00 a. The fact was. There is only room at top for one person. The following week I approached the coach and informed him that I didn't really have time to play. Like my school work.
11
. For the person on top it is a constant struggle to keep the top position for one day someone will come along and knock that person down from the pedestal. It was a basketball try-out and a friend wanted to go but didn't want to go alone. I was so competitive that when I got to high school and there were many students who were equal or greater in size. My friend was then added to the team in my place. I loved playing and watching all sports. At 11:00 I had a basketball practice.
THE STRUCTURE OF COMPETITION
Whenever there is competition between people the following things happen. then one day they just can't keep up with the younger athlete who is entering his prime. Years of being "the bridesmaid" can take its toll. they are always being disappointed.

You can then also enjoy your own successes more. stop and think. enriched your life. otherwise. I acknowledge them and strive to improve on those areas I feel are deficient. Everyday I try to improve Claude Fontaine mentally. You will no longer have to wait until you are named "Employee of the Month". When you live your life in competition with others you can never be fully happy. I try to never be down on myself because of my faults. Once you learn to compete only with yourself. jealous or even depressed because that person has more "toys" than you. This mind set is imperative for becoming truly happy. You can start being happy right now. On the days that you feel you have not improved at all. you will then be free to be sincerely happy for others who succeed.Go Ahead Make Your Day
HOW CAN YOU BE COMPETITIVE AND HAPPY? I am still very competitive except now I am competing against myself and not against the world. you may have a tendency to look down at them.
IMPORTANT POINT
Compete only with yourself.
12
. or bigger house. one thing that you have learned or changed. Instead. you may become envious. In the presence of someone who is succeeding financially and has a bigger car. I am willing to bet that you can find. Enjoy other people's successes no matter how small. "Top Producer" or "Most Valuable Player" to be happy. In the presence of someone who has less than you. at least. This is a sure way of missing out on a relationship that might have. physically and spiritually. Since your goal is to improve yourself you can be happy everyday with your successes no matter how small. Enjoy every one of your successes no matter how small.

whenever I looked at the squirrel I would be reminded not to take life so seriously. I realized that I was taking myself and my job far too seriously. The telephone set I used had the capability to connect approximately twenty callers at one time.
While working for Bell Canada I was given the job of Tester. but I was manufacturing my own stress. Looking back I realize that it was my way of feeling important. my stress level was drastically reduced and my efficiency was proportionately increased. For some this part of the job was just to much to handle while I.
13
. especially when they would tell me that they didn't think they could handle such a high pressured job. loved the action. As a tester one of my responsibilities was to take calls from Installation and Repair Technicians and I would assist the technicians in any way I could. I loved telling people about my job. I began taking the calls and my job lighter. It was not uncommon to have eight calls on the go at once. Shortly after making this realization I recovered a wooden carving of a squirrel that a colleague of mine had tossed in the garbage.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER FOUR DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. on the other hand. I placed the squirrel beside my computer so that. I enjoyed the fact that people thought I was doing a high pressure job.

or a joke that may offend someone. NOTE: Use some discretion when selecting who you tell what to.Go Ahead Make Your Day
PRIDE vs. let alone laugh with others about ones own shortcomings. LAUGHING AT YOURSELF
Not taking myself so seriously is one of the hardest things for me to do. Although this pride has served us well in many aspects of our lives it has also been burdensome in others. I must constantly remind myself that doing stupid things is part of being human. It is not always easy for proud people to laugh at themselves. hurt or offended. In fact. I get the biggest laugh when the person we are laughing at is me. They shall never cease to be entertained.
14
. My father is a man with much pride. As the old Chinese saying goes: "Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves. The worst that could happen is that people will realize you are human. Why not share your amusement with others. don't stop there. So. or a racial joke. Some of the biggest laughs I have with my friends are not when I tell a dirty joke that may scandalize someone. while writing this booklet I have come to realize that my mother and siblings are also very proud. You also will notice that people who laugh the most are the ones who are able to relate to your circumstance because they see themselves as capable of doing the same thing or they already have done so. in order to be like him I chose to adopt his sense of pride. When the joke you are telling is about yourself people feel free to laugh knowing that no one is being scandalized."
SHARE YOUR STUPIDITY
Once you start taking yourself less seriously and learn to laugh. I greatly admire my father.

Take words said to you lightly and with humor. On some occasions you could interpret the words as someone trying to be funny. but the way you interpret the words. Share your bloopers with others. it is important to take the words with a grain of salt. No matter what the occasion. Don't take the words personally but try to find some humor in them even when you know they were deliberately said with the intent to tease or hurt you.Go Ahead Make Your Day
DISARM JOKES ABOUT YOU
Along with being able to laugh at yourself you also must be able to take a joke. It is not the actual words that hurt your feelings or offend you.
IMPORTANT POINTS
Don't take yourself so seriously. In some instances you could interpret the words as someone making a comment without stopping to think. There is nothing that will disarm words faster then taking them lightly and trying to find the humor behind them.
15
. The ability to take a joke is not always easy for someone with a lot of pride. Learn to laugh at your bloopers.

my problem with having too much pride makes it hard for me to accept criticism at times. you should take control of how you wish to react.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER FIVE WELCOME CRITICISM
This chapter is an carry-over of the two previous chapters. It combines Chapter Two. and Chapter Four. As stated in the previous chapter. it can be such a hard thing to handle that I thought it deserved its own specific chapter. In Chapter Four. you must sometimes take criticism lightly with a sense of humor. Although the other chapters cover the basic principles of handling criticism. As stated in chapter two "Take Responsibility for your Reactions". "Don't Take Yourself so Seriously". it is all up to you. This is another reason why I am giving this topic its own chapter.
16
. You can react positively or negatively to any criticism.

put on his Sunday suit and left the house before his mother could find out. Everyday he sold more and more newspapers and after a couple of months he had saved enough for his very own news stand and a new suit. The dream was an inner voice talking to him. The lady turned around and shouted out to him. He jumped out of bed took a bath. One day the young boy approached a nicely dressed lady to sell her a paper." The little boy turned around and ran home in tears giving up his newspapers for the day. In his dream he was nicely dressed and working in a cigar store. but for our purpose I will say he went on to own one of the largest cigar stores chains in Canada. The next day the boy reflected on the lady's comments and on his dream. It is the story of a poor newspaper boy who was selling papers on the streets of Toronto. He decided that it was more than a coincidence. The point of the story is obvious. If the source is that of a jealous or spiteful person then use the techniques learned in Chapter One and don't allow your critic the satisfaction of getting to you. If you truly cannot find one valid point in the criticism you must then look at the source or motive of the criticism. "You dirty little street peddler why don't you go home and take bath instead of pestering everyone on the street and disgracing our fine city. who was deeply hurt.Go Ahead Make Your Day
TRY TO BENEFIT FROM CRITICISM
An interesting story was told to me several years ago but I no longer remember who the story teller was or their sources.
17
. After all. I am not sure of the exact details to the end of the story. That night the boy. That day the little boy sold more newspapers and received more tips than he ever did. you may just find something that will enrich your life. The store was sparkling clean with not a magazine or a can of tobacco out of place and was filled with smiling customers purchasing his merchandise. Cleanliness then became a way of life for him. criticism may hurt but you must step back and try to find a valid point in the criticism. He found that people were more receptive to him and they smiled more. During the night he had a dream. cried himself to sleep.

Anyone else. will just kick you. It takes a friend to tell you to remove the sign that says "kick me" off your back. go wash or your wife to tell you not to attempt to fix the dishwasher.
Points to Remember
Criticism can be helpful. but a friend. Realize the source of the criticism.
18
.Go Ahead Make Your Day
ONLY A MOTHER WILL SAY "GO WASH YOUR FACE"
It is also important to remember that most criticism comes from the people who care enough about us to try and help. It takes a mother to tell you that your face is dirty.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
When your time has come to leave this earth how do you want to be remembered? Would you like to be remembered as a happy person or a miserable one? Would you like to be remembered as kind or angry. To help you do this. Today marks a new beginning to the rest of your life. you cannot change it. Picture the people approaching the podium and giving their eulogy to you. What would you like your: Spouse to say?
19
. it is important to approach life with your final day in mind. Therefore. imagine yourself at your own funeral.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER SIX WRITE YOUR OWN EULOGY
Today is the first day of the rest of your life! You should not worry about the past. as honest or dishonest? If you have never reflected on the way you would like to be remembered then do this now. I also sincerely believe that today may be your last day on earth.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
Children to say?
Friends to say?
Co-workers to say?
20
.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
Community to say?
Church to say?
Neighbors to say?
21
.

This may sound oversimplified but it really doesn't need to be complicated. commit yourself to your goal one day at a time. it's important you have a road map (a plan for your goals). If you would like your wife to remember you as a loving and sensitive man then be loving and sensitive towards her today and everyday. but it still applies. here is the analogy and how it applies to the above example: Picture yourself going on a road trip. Read it as often as you can to make sure you stay on track. The catch is you need to do this everyday.
22
.
FOLLOW YOUR MAP
The analogy of setting out on a road trip without a map may be over used by now. Live your life every day with your eulogy in mind. Some roads may be rougher or longer than others. If you want to get to your destination in the shortest amount of time possible. Neither should you stumble through your life hoping to reach your goals. you would not dream of getting into your car and driving aimlessly hoping you might stumble upon your destination. If you don't check your map daily you might find yourself going to bed further from your destination then when you started your day. Your final destination represents your goal. If you don't remind yourself of your final destination frequently you may be going further away. Write your own eulogy. If you want your friends to remember you as a faithful and honest person be faithful and honest.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Keep in mind it may be your last day here. You don't need to make a big resolution or big promises to change yourself. If you have never been somewhere before. It is important that you look at your road map frequently to make sure you are still on the right track.Go Ahead Make Your Day
LIVE TODAY THE WAY YOU WISH TO BE REMEMBERED TOMORROW
Once you have taken the time to write out your eulogy. There are many roads that will get you there. If you have never heard it. use it as a guide. The roads you must travel to arrive at your destination represent the steps needed to reach your goal. The only thing you need to do is.

Take the time to enjoy the simple everyday things. Plan out your day. they get a job. they die. The time to enjoy is now and the time to be happy is now. Why not be happy now? This may sound like a crazy and perhaps novel idea. You are happier on your way to a vacation then you are on your vacation. they get more money. they retire. So stop waiting for "some day" to 23
. Enjoy the drive to work. instead of the things that don't. and the other is the ability to focus on one thing at time. (Warning: from personal experience this is not the best time to catch up on your sleep). Really enjoy that first cup of coffee. When I say focus on now I mean it in two ways. they get a promotion. You should also be happier on your way to your life destination. look for the things that make you happy. One is to eliminate the "someday attitude". When you get home at night enjoy your supper.
SOMEDAY
The "someday attitude" is a trap that many people fall into. The "someday people" will be happy when: they graduate from high school. use this time to enjoy the radio or a cassette.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER SEVEN FOCUS ON NOW
This chapter is dedicated to focusing on "the now". they get a new job. but why not? Enjoy the journey. It is said that you are happier on your way to the restaurant then you are on the way home. When you are at work.

Use the work area given to clearly write out the areas you would like most to be focused. Focus on your children when you are with them. They didn't let themselves be distracted with other conversations or by the television in the background. The quality of your relationships will increase dramatically.
24
. Now imagine the feeling you would get if you were talking to someone who was giving you all of their attention. This ability takes discipline to acquire. the sooner it will become a habit. It is. nothing else mattered. This is perfectly normal and should be expected especially at first. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". The ability to "Focus on Now" is sure to increase the quality of your life and give you greater happiness in whatever you do. don't waste today being unhappy! The time to be happy is now!
FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME
The second meaning of "Focusing on Now" is the ability to focus on one thing at a time. If you have the ability to focus on work when you are at work you will be more effective. We have all had the experience of talking to someone and leaving with the feeling that the person's mind was somewhere else. Focusing on now is the ability to come home from work after a hard day and be able to focus on your relationship with your family or friends. therefore.Go Ahead Make Your Day
happen because it may not. The first step is to realize the importance of being so focused. focus on your spouse when you are with him or her and focus on your friends when you are with them. Being unhappy would be the worst way to spend your last day on this earth. Whoever masters this art is sure to reduce worry and increase effectiveness in all areas of their life. During your day you will start to catch yourself being distracted. Remember catching yourself being distracted is half the battle. the more you will practice. important to follow the oldest rule in human relations. The more you practice. Since we never know when our last day will be. Once your specific areas are written out try to review them before starting your day. The more you remind yourself of the importance of "Focusing on Now". This ability or art to be able to focus on one thing at a time or "focus on now" can be learned. If you have the ability to focus on now when you are driving in your car you may be saving your life or someone else's. Focusing on now is the ability to go to work after a crisis has occurred at home and still be effective.

Learn to focus all your mental abilities on the task at hand. Don't wait for "some day" to be happy.
25
.Go Ahead Make Your Day
EXERCISE
Please write your focus goals:
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Focus on now.

may neglect their health. Since life is so precious and delicate it is important that we take time every day to examine what we are doing with our life. Life is very delicate and it can be snatched away without warning. house. Much like a balanced diet. etc.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER EIGHT AIM FOR BALANCE
To enjoy a happy life we must enjoy every aspect of our life. this person can never be happy without sharing their wealth with those they love.
TO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
The person who is so caught up in working so they can make money to purchase a nice car. A person who works hard in order to save enough money for retirement. To enjoy each aspect we must aim for balance. You may enjoy the taste of cheesecake but if cheesecake is the only food your diet consists of you will not meet your nutritional needs. At the end of it all.
26
. we should aim for a balanced life. If partying and having a good time is your only source of happiness you also will not meet your emotional needs. may be neglecting the people they love to attain these goals. and will not live long enough to enjoy that retirement. We must aim for a balanced life that does not over-dose in any one area.

an optimistic view on what is to come. will have given you an opportunity to reflect on the different aspects of your life. then try to put down. the amount of hours you think would be necessary to live a more happy and balanced life. The exercise in the previous chapter. I also would like you to estimate the approximate amount of time you currently spend on each aspect. HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU SPENDING FOR: WORK ___________________
HOBBIES __________________ FRIENDS __________________ FAMILY __________________
HEALTH __________________ EDUCATION _______________ RELIGION _________________ YOURSELF ________________
27
. In this exercise I would like you to reflect on these different aspects and what they mean to you. It should not be a depressing exercise. rather. like all the other exercises in this book should not be an exercise in examining your shortcoming but rather your potential. in percentage. Writing Your Own Eulogy. This exercise.Go Ahead Make Your Day
WHERE IS YOUR TIME SPENT?
The following exercise is designed to help you reflect on where you spend most of your time.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND WITH: WORK ___________________
HOBBIES __________________ FRIENDS __________________ FAMILY __________________
HEALTH __________________ EDUCATION _______________ RELIGION _________________ YOURSELF ________________
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Aim for a balanced life.
28
.

despite Jim. In several cases his laziness cost the company money. I was so fed up that I stopped expecting anything from Jim. His attitude and ethics drove me crazy. I accepted Jim for who he was. This chapter has been added to this book thanks to a lazy co-worker of mine. I expected that I would need to work a little harder. I tried to refuse to take him but I had no choice.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER NINE DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS
Don't expect too much from others and you will never be disappointed. because of the nature of the job his laziness had a direct influence on the amount of work I was required to do. At one point a couple co-workers and I approached our supervisor to complain. I 29
. I tried to get rid of him but was not successful at getting him transferred. At the time." This response made me even more furious. and they continued making comments about him. I even started to understand him and his priorities. This person whom I will call Jim was very concerned with energy conservation. I was writing this book and nowhere in my book could I find a way to be happy in the presence of this person. My other colleagues continued to let Jim upset them. His response was "I knew what he was like before he moved into the department. At that point. mostly his own. Jim made me so miserable that several times I had second thoughts about writing this book. After a few weeks his laziness no longer bothered me because I no longer expected anything from him. Unfortunately. than I should not be writing a book on being happy. I felt that if I couldn't be happy at work. When I worked with him I didn't expect any help from him.

Only one came back and thanked Jesus for what he had done. who is one of my favorite author. I stopped to buy a coffee to drink on my way to work. It didn't matter to me. I noticed his pick-up truck in the ditch. I even felt good about sacrificing my coffee. His face was covered with blood due to a head injury. About five minutes out of town I was flagged down by a man at the side of the road.m. I don't expect people to be in a good mood all the time. I don't expect people to work as t hard as me. On the way to the hospital I kept talking with the man to make sure he was not going into shock. I helped him into my truck and I drove him to the nearest hospital. nor do I expect a favor to be returned every time I do one.
NOTHING NEW
If you can adopt this way of thinking you will not be disappointed by others when they don’ live up to your expectations. Dale Carnegie. Once at the hospital I waited until the emergency staff arrived to take over. At the time.Go Ahead Make Your Day
realized that many of Jim's acts of laziness were manufactured by us and then exaggerated. Once the staff arrived I said good bye and wished him well. I don't expect people to be grateful when I help them. In the past I would have been so upset that he didn't try to thank me. "How To Stop Worrying and Start Living" when Jesus healed ten lepers. made the comparison in his book. He accepted the coffee that I had craved so much for. The whole experience would have been a negative one. but on this unexpectedly cold morning I yielded to the temptation. or expect people to get as excited about the pictures of my babies as I do. With my new mind set the whole experience was now positive. He told me he had just come from the coffee shop so I offered him my coffee.
One cold November morning at 5:00 a. He responded by saying "yah". I pulled over and got out of my truck. Should we expect any more then what Jesus received?
DON'T LET INGRATITUDE RUIN YOUR HAPPINESS. he didn't even ask me my name so he could thank me later.. I immediately gave him a cloth so he could cover his wound and told him to apply pressure.
30
. I was trying to quit drinking coffee. I honestly felt good about being able to help. In fact it was not until later when I was telling my friends what great excitement I had on my way to work that my friends asked me if the man had even thanked me. I never expected to be thanked.

our work. t If only one out of ten lepers return to thank Jesus should we expect anything more. Think of how much better the whole world would be if people would be more concerned with giving than receiving.Go Ahead Make Your Day
GIVE WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE GIVEN TO
I believe that it is only through giving that we can really be happy.
31
. our society… we get a true feeling of belonging. Happiness comes from having a sense of contributing. When we have a sense of contributing in out daily lives to our friends. You don’ give or help to be thanked. The great thing with this giving outlook is that you never need to concern yourself with your own needs.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Don’ expect to much from others. so why let t feelings of ingratitude rob you of feeling happy about doing good Give. If you adopt a giving attitude I guarantee your needs will be taken care of.

His sermon was so perfect. on the other hand. I. We all know we should count our blessings. so simple that it stayed with me all these years. the other half were just glad they didn't have to sit through a long sermon. Half the church consisting of older. thought it was perfect.
32
. And that is that!
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Count your blessings. more conservative parishioners were appalled. beads of sweat rolled off our faces. He stepped up to the pulpit and gave a sermon on counting your blessing.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER TEN COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
One hot Sunday afternoon as my family and I sat in the pew at church waiting for the young priest to start his sermon. Count them frequently. His sermon was so perfect I feel that I should share it with you word for word: "Count your blessings" The priest then turned around and walked back to his seat.

. This means that you should not waste your time worrying about what has happened or worrying about what might happen. There are other areas of health problems that stem from excessive worrying. etc. Researchers are discovering that many other health problems can also be related to excessive worrying. I am strongly convinced that worrying is probably responsible for more deaths then we may think.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER ELEVEN STOP WORRYING
It is with good reason that I deliberately placed this chapter near the end of the book. In the meantime I will try to bring to you in this short chapter. alcoholism. obesity. Worrying is only a reaction to stress. I am hoping by this point that making a statement like "stop worrying" will not sound so inconceivable. respiratory problems and diabetes to name a few." With the exception of my own book and the Bible no book has changed my life more. You know by now that you are responsible for your reactions. To thoroughly cover this topic it would take an entire book. some of the techniques that have served me best. pressure. Insomnia can cause people to get drowsy or fall asleep when they are expected to make decisions that may mean life or death. Remember not to take yourself so seriously.. is Dale Carnegie's "How Stop Worrying and Start Living. depression. You should also know that you should focus on now. Study's now show that falling asleep when driving causes more 33
. Excessive worrying may also cause some cases of insomnia. such as cancer.
WHY STOP WORRYING?
Before I start writing about techniques that might help you stop worrying I think it is important to first remind you of the importance of controlling your worries. anorexia. When you think of health problems due to worrying the obvious heart attack and ulcers come to mind. A book I would highly recommend to anyone. In fact many fine books have been written on the subject.

I worried that she might leave me. focus on becoming so good no one would dare to fire you.
First try to think of a way to prevent what is worrying from ever happening. When I was young I would worry about failing my classes but I never thought once that studying and working hard would guarantee me a good grade. Here are some of the methods I use to control my worrying:
METHOD #1: FOCUS ON PREVENTION. If Rachelle was only ten minutes late to call me I would get so worked up that I would almost be sick. I would worry about failing at school so much that I almost did. possible to stop worrying but it is an ongoing battle. My wife would probably categorize me as someone who doesn't worry enough. If you worry about getting fired from work. I worried about my weight.Go Ahead Make Your Day
accidents than drinking and driving.
I LEARNED AND SO CAN YOU!
When I was thirteen years old I was definitely a chronic worrier. I knew if I didn't do something about my worrying that I would end up with an ulcer before I was seventeen. With all of the above mentioned I strongly believe that worrying is the biggest killer of North American. Since then I must of read the book at least five times from cover to cover and picked it up over 100 times to read specifics chapters. I literally became a new person. For the first six months I worried about everything. I had a more restful sleep and was more relaxed during the day. Shortly after I had started reading the book my life started to change. I would worry about my parents getting a divorce even though I had never even heard them argue. I would go to bed at about 10 PM and stayed awake until 3 or 4 am worrying. who is now my wife. I worried about my future and just about everything else. It is. that I was not good enough for her. We need to be reminded from time to time on the importance of not worrying and on some of the methods you could use not to worry. I started falling asleep faster. I felt more secure with my relationships. Rachelle. therefore. When I was sixteen I met my first girlfriend.
34
. I would worry but I never thought of a way to prevent my worries from happening. I had already read Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" when I saw his book "How To Stop Worrying and Start Living". His first book was such a joy to read that I knew had to read this other one.

If I look at everything that ever worried. I know my odds and realize that it is more realistic to think that my worries will probably not happen. Do yourself a favor and stay honest. If you never break the law you don't need to worry about the police breaking down your door in the middle of the night.
If preventing something from happening is beyond my control then I quickly accept that fact.
35
.
Stay honest. If you don't cheat on your income tax you never need to worry about being audited. If you never steal you never need to worry about being caught stealing.
METHOD # 4: HONESTY IS STILL THE BEST POLICY. In most cases the worst thing that could happen is really not all that bad. If you never lie you never have to worry about what lie you were telling to who. Once I know something is beyond my control then I think of the worst thing that will happen if my concern does materialize. Sometime we can be are own worst enemies in the fight against worrying. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. In some cases when things are really getting to me I try to make myself as busy as I can. Now that I worry less about silly little things.
METHOD # 5: PLAY THE ODDS."
METHOD # 3: KEEP BUSY. about 70% of things I worry about don't materialize.
I do something constructive. me in my live I find that over 90% of my worries have never materialized. I will work harder and take on new projects.Go Ahead Make Your Day
METHOD #2: ACCEPT THE WORST. I then remind myself of the quote. During the day I don't have time to give my worries much thought and by the end of the day I am so exhausted that even if I wanted to stay up all night worrying I couldn't.

Stay honest. Keep busy.
First realize all the side effects of worrying.Go Ahead Make Your Day
POINTS TO REMEMBER. Play the odds. Try to prevent.
36
. Accept the worst.

If all my hopes were achieved then my job was successful. This chapter is about taking the time to reflect and remind yourself about the importance of being happy. It is up to you. Being happy is an ongoing task. You are born with all you need to be happy." call it "reflection time. Every time you review this material I hope you are reminded that you can be happy and the time to be happy is now. your priorities your "road map". Call this "quiet time." call it "meditation time. a nicer car or a fancier stereo to be happy. I hope that even if you learned nothing new the book gave you a chance to reflect on your priorities in life. Take the time as often as you can to review your goals. Unfortunately my success alone cannot ensure you long term happiness. Long term happiness is completely up to you. You don't need more money. This is why this chapter may be the most important chapter in the book. you cannot wait for happiness to come to you.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER TWELVE TAKE TIME TO REFLECT
KEEP WORKING
By now I hope you understand that happiness is an internal thing. You need to work at it. I hope that as you read this book you find being happy easy. I am hoping that after you began to read from the book that you approached the remainder of your day with a better frame of mind.
37
." It doesn't matter what you call it as long as you do it.

that cement gets added until your eyes are covered. The book of meditation that probably had the most influence on my style of meditation is Jose Silva's. Next inhale. There are many good books written on the subject and I guess my meditation is a combination of many books that I have read. You know you have done this successfully when you feel your body sink into your mattress or chair. In a single chapter I cannot hope to give you a detailed study of the art of meditation or the benefit of lowering your brain wave activity to an alpha state. What I would like to do here is share with you a method that will help you get started meditating. "The Silva Mind Control Method". The best time would be when you first wake up. This will give your whole body a real heavy and relaxed feeling." but for me the word. I like to visualize someone pouring warm cement on my toes. With every other inhale imagine that heaviness or as I. You may visualize Yogi Flyers. To make this a habit you should try to do this at the same time every day. Now for every inhale feel your body getting heavier. For me meditation is a time to relax and reflect.Go Ahead Make Your Day
MY MEDITATION
The word meditation may conger many images in your mind. You may visualize spaced out "hippies" meditating. If your last 3 minutes were fully focused on your breathing and getting heavy the brain wave activity has probably slowed right down. At this point your brain is in the most 38
. At this point you should be feeling completely relaxed. then imagine cement is poured on your calves. To achieve this sit down in a comfortable chair or lay flat on your back. meditation. I guess I could easily call it "quiet time" or "reflection time. Focus on your breathing inhale for as long as you can then slowly exhale about 5 times. At first you may find it necessary to be in a quiet spot but soon this will not really matter. Read over the exercises in this book (To make this easy you can transpose your answers to the workbook) Once you know what you would like to meditate about it is now time to get your body relaxed. First find a spot where you will not be interrupted. gives the action some kind of special power.

I recommend you do this once a day preferably when you first thing in the morning. Feel the pressures and stress leave your body. Once you have visualized yourself as being happy or visualized anything else.Go Ahead Make Your Day
receptive state for programming. It should be done as often as possible.
This time to yourself is a very important part of staying happy and positive. You may now start programming your mind to be happy. Visualize yourself going through your day with a smile. Visualize yourself handling things the way you would like to be handling them. It can be as short as fifteen minutes. all your goals are things that you cannot remind yourself of too often. you are ready to bring yourself out of your meditation. Slowly bring yourself out of your meditation.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Meditate Meditate often
39
. All the points in this manual. With every exhale feel yourself getting lighter. It is guaranteed to get your whole day off to a great start with your goals and your priorities freshly in mind.

When these three element are present we can develop any habit. Unfortunately. They get a feeling of being love when someone takes the time to console them. Fortunately. it is save to assume that you are someone who wants to be happy. The truth is that every one of us from time to time have periods when we don't want to be happy.
40
. we need to know how to and then thirdly.Go Ahead Make Your Day
Go Ahead Now
Well there you have it. The first element we need is to want to. I believe that happiness is within the reach of each and every one of us.
Want to
When I first started out writing this book I naively believed that this first element was a given.
What are Habits?
Dr Stephen Covey (the author of the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People ") says we need three elements to develop any habit. if happiness is one of your habits these times come less frequent then for most people and when they do come the duration is shorter. I believed that everyone wanted to be happy. If you read the book this far. some people hardly ever want to be happy. If we want the sum of our days to equal happiness lets make happiness a a daily habit. We can be happy as quickly as we can make up our minds to be happy. We must reach within. Some people love the attention they get when they are upset. the twelve habits that help me in developing the happiness habit. Our life is the sum of all our days. we need to do it. Secondly.

They must make their own day. your customers ... I thought that I was an expert and that I could teach the world to be happy. I strongly believed that everyone wanted to be happy but just needed the knowledge. Don't waste another week being unhappy. All s that I can really do is show an example and point people in the right direction.
GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DAY." It was only after giving up about thirty times that I finally understood what I meant when I pick the title of this book" Go Ahead and Make Your Day". Don't waste another day. I knew that it was my responsibility to make it my day.Go Ahead Make Your Day
The How To
I said that when I started writing this book I made the mistake of thinking that everyone wanted to be happy. Regardless of the weather. The one thing that I was not getting was that it's not my responsibility to make other people’ day. your employer. Don't waste another month being unhappy. Some days I would come home to find my own wife unhappy. I also made another huge mistake when I thought that I could teach people to be happy. I would say to myself. This was a person who had proofread the first draft of my book. Everything that has been written here means nothing unless you do it. Why couldn't I give her some words of wisdom that would make here feel better. A person that I shared all of my believes with.
41
. From the time I started writing this book I have been reading everything I can about happiness. “ Who am I trying to fool? If I can't teach my own wife to be happy then how can I go out and teach anyone else.
Do It
This is the part that people have the hardest time with. It requires you to make a conscious decision to be happy on a daily basis. This way of thinking was the single factor that made me give up several times on writing this book.

Go Ahead Make Your Day

APPENDIX A GO AHEAD MAKE YOUR DAY
YOUR NOTES YOUR GUIDE YOUR BOOK ON BEING HAPPY

1

Go Ahead Make Your Day

CHAPTER ONE
BECOMING YOUR BEST FRIEND
WHAT I NEED IN A BEST FRIEND IS:

IMPORTANT POINTS
Be happy, loving and content with yourself and you will automatically radiate love and happiness.

Important Points
Life is a series of actions acting on you. To every action there are several positive reactions. Take full responsibility for your reactions. Once you have selected the right positive reaction visualize yourself reacting in that manner until it is an automatic reaction.

3

Enjoy other people's successes no matter how small. 4
.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER THREE COMPETING ONLY WITH YOURSELF
THINK OF ONE THING THAT YOU WILL DO BETTER TODAY THEN YOU DID YESTERDAY
IMPORTANT POINT
Compete only with yourself. Enjoy every one of your successes no matter how small.

THINK OF A GOOD BLOOPER THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH OTHER. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT POINTS
Don't take yourself so seriously. 5
. Learn to laugh at your bloopers.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER FOUR
DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY
. Take words said to you lightly and with humor. Share your bloopers with others.

6
.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER FIVE WELCOME CRITICISM
Points to Remember
Criticism can be helpful If it was only intended to hurt you try to benefit from it anyway. If you can’ find any benefits don’ allow your critic t t the satisfaction of upsetting you.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER SIX WRITE YOUR OWN EULOGY
What would you like your: Spouse to say?
Children to say?
7
.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
Friends to say?
Co-workers to say?
8
.

Go Ahead Make Your Day Community to say?
Church to say?
Neighbors to say?
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Keep in mind it may be your last. If you don't remind yourself of your final destination frequently you may be going further away. 9
. Live your life every day with your eulogy in mind. Write your own eulogy.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER SEVEN FOCUS ON NOW
EXERCISE Write your focus goals:
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Focus on now. Don't wait for "some day" to be happy.
10
. Learn to focus all your mental abilities on the task at hand.

Go Ahead Make Your Day
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD WORK ___________________
HOBBIES __________________ FRIENDS __________________ FAMILY __________________
HEALTH __________________ EDUCATION _______________ RELIGION _________________ YOURSELF ________________
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Aim for a balanced life.
12
.

You don’ give or help to be thanked.
13
. so t why let feelings of ingratitude rob you of feeling happy about doing good Give.Go Ahead Make Your Day
CHAPTER NINE DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Don’ expect to much from others. t If only one out of ten lepers return to thank Jesus should we expect anything more.